Play pen and bottom elevating means therefor



July 20, 1965 R. GOTTLIEB PLAY PEN AND BOTTOM ELEVATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 10, 1964 5 sheets-sheet@ R. GOTTLIEB 3,195,152

PLAY PEN AND BOTTOM ELEVATING MEANS THEREFOR July 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l0, 1964 Y R. GoTTLlEB 3,195,152

PLAY PEN AND BOTTOM ELEVATING MEANS THEREFOR July 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March l0, 1964 INVENTOR P05597 6a 7n /55 Aap' July 20, 1965 R. GOTTLIEB 3,195,152

PLAY PEN AND BOTTOM ELEVATING MEANS THEREFCR Filed March l0, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY if/ l /l'gf f. l

July 20, 1965 R. GOTTLIEB PLAY PEN AND BOTTOM ELEVATING MEANS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March l0, 1964 INVENTOR. Paga/F7' 60772 /55 United States Patent O 3,195,152 PLAY PEN AND ,BGTTM ELEVA'HNG MEANS THEREFOR Robert Gottlieb, Btl- 24) 78th St., Jackson Heights, NX. Filed Mar. l0, 1964, Ser. No. 350,889 9 Ciaims. (Cl. 5-99) This invention relates to play pens and more specifically concerns a novel and improved play pen that may be readily and easily folded for storage and transportation and which includes improved means for elevating the bottom thereof when the play pen is in the open position. While this invention is described as a play pen, it will become apparent from the course of the description that the structure would also serve as a crib.

While many forms of collapsible play pens have heretofore been suggested, one of the difficulties entailed is that the bottom is fixed in position and requires one to bend over the side of the pen to remove a child lying or crawling therein. Extreme care must be exercised in such instances to avoid back injuries since substantial stresses are placed on the back. This invention overcomes these diiculties and provides a novel and improved structure including bottom elevating means for movement of the entire bottom of the play pen to a raised position and thus facilitate removal of the child therefrom. Furthermore, the bottom when in the raised position serves as a convenient surface for dressing or otherwise attending to the childs needs without necessitating removal of the child from the play pen.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved play pen having elevating means for raising the bottom wherein the elevating means provides sturdy support for the bottom and at the same time folds into a compact structure requiring little, if any, additional space over that needed for normal bottom supporting means in play pens.

Another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved bottom elevating means for play pens that is characterized by its compactness, simplicity, relatively low cost and dependability.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved collapsible play pen with bottom elevating means that alords a sturdy structure and wherein improved means are provided for retaining the play pen in the open position and for securing the bottom in both the elevated and lowered positions.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

ln the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a play pen in accordance with the invention and with portions sectioned along the line 1 1 of FiGURE 2.

FiGURE 2. is a bottom View of the play pen shown in FIGURE l and with the bottom in the raised position.

FGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the play pen shown in FIGURE l with the bottom in a lowered position and with the legs being moved inwardly to place the structure in the folded position.

FGURE 4 is a bottom view similar to FIGURE 2 but with the play pen in the fully collapsed position.

Bylhl ICC FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 4 taken along the line 5 5 thereof.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the locking means for securing the leg structures to the lower frame member, and

FlGURE 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking means for holding the bottom in the elevated position.

T he play pen in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of rectangular frames generally denoted by the numerals itl and 1l with the frame 1d being the upper frame and the frame il being the lower frame. The frames are joined by a flexible webbing l2 of fabric or the like which is provided with a binding 13 at the upper edge which encloses the frame 16 and a binding 14 about the lower edge which encloses the frame lll. The frames l@ and lll are supported by two pairs of legs a-b and la-b. The four legs are substantially identical and each has a right angle bend i7 at the top end thereof terminating in a horizontal portion 18 when the play pen is in the open position. The horizontal portions i8 of the legs are attached to opposing sides of the top frame it) by pivots 19 so that when the legs are in the open position they adjoin the corners of the play pen and provide iirm support therefor. The pair oi legs lSa-b are joined by a lower transverse member 20 and have downwardly formed end portions 2l iirmly secured to the legs by brackets 22. The transverse portions of the braces Ztl lie substantially in the plane of the bottom frame 1l when the play pen is in the open position as shown in FIGURE l. The legs 1 6 are similarly bracked by a corresponding brace 26 with downwardiy extending end portions 2i secured to the legs 26a-b by brackets ZZ. In addition to the transverse braces 2t?, further stability is provided for the play pen when in the open position by four chains 23 each of which is pivoted to one of the legs at a point 24 spaced from the upper end thereof and to the top frame 10 at 25. When the play pen is in the open position, the chains Z3 make an angle of approximately 45 with the legs and thus impart substantial rigidity to the structure. The two pairs of legs which function in unison are locked in the open position by locking means generally denoted by the numeral 26 and since each of these locking means is identical only the locking means on the legs 15a-b will be described.

Referring more specifically to FIGURES l, 2 and 6, that portion of the lock Z6 carried by the lower frame 11 comprises a flat strip 27 having a rounded portion 2S on the outer end which engages the lower frame 1i and is secured thereto by a rivet Z9 or other suitable means so that the flat inwardly extending portion is retained in an approximately horizontal position. The bracket 27 carries a second bracket part 30 having a base portion 3i welded or otherwise secured to the bracket 27, a downwardly and inwardly inclined portion 32, and an outwardly and downwardly flared portion 33. The brackets 27 and Siti are arranged to receive the transverse brace 2d therebetween and the dared portion 33 of the bracket 3b facilitates engagement of the transverse brace 2d with the bracket members 27 and 30. The bracket member 30 has a slot 34 therein for receiving a portion of the latching means 35. The latching means 35 is pivoted at 36 to a pair of ears 37 secured to the bottom side of the bracket 30 as illustrated. In the instant embodiment of the invention, the ears 37 suitable fastening means.

Y 3 constitute the legs of a U-shaped member with the base thereof riveted to the brackets 27 and 3i). The inner end 3S of the latch has a downwardly extending latching element 39 which moves into the slot 34 and is normally held in the slot by a spring 4t) engaging an upwardly extending tab 41 carried by the outer portion 42 of the latching means 35. The upper end of the spring engages a boss 43 formed in the portion 3l of the bracket 3i). With this arrangement, the latching element 39 can be moved out of the slot 34 by lmovement of the latching means about the pivot 36 and against the action of the spring 49.

The cooperating latching means carried by the transvverse brace2tl `comprises a guiding element generally of the elements 45 and 4o are joined by an upwardly vrformed transverse member 4.17, which, as will be described, cooperates with the elevating mechanism to provide support for the bottom when in the lowered position.

The transverse brace 2t? is also provided with an opening i8 on the bottom side'thereof and this opening receives the latching element 39 when the brace is moved into engagement between the brackets 27 and 3) as described. With the foregoing arrangement, it is evident that when vopening the play pen by moving the legs to their extended and outermost positions, the transverse braces upon entering the space between the brackets 27 and 30 will automatically push the latching element outwardly and then when the transverse brace is .iirmly tted between the brackets 27 and 30 the opening t8 will automatically be aligned with the latching element 39 so that the latter will snap into the opening and thus lock the play pen in the open position.

The elevating mechanism for the play pen bottom 49 and pad Si) may be observed principally in FIGURES 4 and are pivoted at 72 to the outer walls 57 of the channels 51 and 52.

The U-shaped frames 59 and 67 are pivotally connected by means of brackets 73. The brackets 73 overlie the legs on and 61 are are secured thereto by rivets 74. The outer portions of the brackets are bent inwardly and are pivotally attached to the legs 68 and 69. With this arrangement and with the bottom in the lowered position,` it will be observed that the legs 68 and 69 lie wholly within the channels 51 and 52, while the legs 60 and 61 lie in positions adjoining the inner walls of the two channels while the brackets 73 bridge the walls 54 of the channels and form a compact assembly.

The lower or -righthand ends ofthe legs eS and 69 of the U-shaped member 67 slidably engage retaining and locking means generally denoted by the numeral 75 as will be observedin FIGURES l and 2. More specifically, these retaining and locking1 means comprise ,elongated tubular memberst each having a slot 77 on the inner side thereof. The-lower ends of therlegs 63 and e9 are provided with inwardly extending pins 78 which ride in the slots 77 and permit the bottom 49 to be elevated and lowered uniformly. The lefthand ends of the slots 77 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 include locking means 79 which function to engage the pins or shafts 78 to hold the bottom 49 in the raised position. These locks are shown more clearly in FIGURE 7 and comprise a latching member Stlpivoted to the'tubular member 76 at 91. The latching member has a cutout portion S2 to expose a portion of the slot 77 and the'outer-end 33 of the latching -mernberhas an inclined surface so that, as the bottom 1 and 2. Briefly, the elevating mechanism utilizes a pair of U-shaped frames with the legs pivoted one to the other to form a scissor-like construction so that the U-shaped frames can move from a position which is-substantially coplanar to the elevated position where the frames are disposed at an angle one relative to the other.

More specifically, the bottom is provided with two channels 51 and 52 secured thereto by rivets 53V or other The righthand end of the inner wall 54 of each channel is provided with an elongated slot 55, while the lefthand end of the inner wall 54 of each channel is cut-away as indicated at 56. Similarly,

Ithe righthand end of the outer wall 57 of Veach channel is 4cut-away as indicated at 58. One U-shaped member generally denoted by the numeral 59 consists of elongated legs 6th and 61 and a transverse member 62 having inwardly bent end portions riveted at 63 to the righthand end of the -legs 60 and 61 as viewed in FIGURE 2. The legs o@ and 61 extend slightly beyond the transverse member 62 and are pivoted at 64 to the inner walls 54 of the channels 51 and 52, the pivots 64 slidably engaging the slots 55 so that the pivots will traverse the slots during the raising and lowering movements. The letthand 49 is moved upwardly andthe shafts 78 are displaced inwardly in the slots 77, they will automatically displace the latching means Si) outwardly until they clear the outer endof the latch whereupon thelatches will spring inwardly to lock the bottom in the raised position. The

spring action is accomplished by a coil spring 84 reacting between a tab 85 carried by the latching means titi and a xed plate 86 carried by the tubular member 76. In order to facilitate raising of the bottom 49, a pair of counterbalancing springs 87 are provided. The lefthand ends of the springs are fastened at 88 tothe bottom frame 11 as shown'in FIGURES l and 2, while the rightv hand ends of the springs engage the pins 78 within the tubular members 76.

In order to facilitate release of the latching members Si), the latching members are connected` by a transverse rod 89, the ends of which extend through tubular portions 9i) forming part of the latching members S6 and have outwardly extending portions 91 which are accessible fromV the sides of the play pen. With this arrangement and with the bottom 49 in the raised position, it one of the projections 91 is displaced, both of the latches 8@ will be released and permit the bottom to move to the lowered position.A

Means are also provided for latching the bottom in the lowered position and these means include a pair of bracket members 92 and 93 pivotally carrying levers 94 and 95. When the bottom is in the lowered position as shownV in dotted outline in FIGURE l, the levers 94 and 95 may be swung outwardly to engage the underside of the lower frame member 11. Since the brackets 92 and 93 are A Vsecured to the channels 51 and 52, these levers will lock ends of the legs 6i) and 61 are connected by diagonal brackets 65 to the bottom trame 11 by pivoting means 66. With this arrangement, the U-shaped frame 59 can move about the pivots 66 as the bottom 49 is moved to the I the bottom 49 in the lowered position and it cannot be raised unless the levers are pivoted inwardly to the positions shown in FIGURE 2.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is apparent that alterations, modicationsand changes may be made without departing from ythe true scope and spirit thereof as defined by of a pair of opposing sides of said upper frame, said legs being movable between positions parallel to said upper frame and perpendicular thereto, transverse frame members connecting the lower ends :of each pair of legs, means between said legs and said upper frame to limit movement lof said legs beyond said perpendicular position, means releasably locking said lower frame member to said transverse frame members, a play pen bottom carried by said lower frame member, means between said bottom and said lower frame member to raise and lower said bottom with said lower frame member locked to said transverse trarne members, locking means for releasably holding said bottom in a raised position, and a flexible net connecting said upper and lower trame members.

2. A collapsible play pen according to claim 1 wherein said means to raise and lower said bottom comprises two pair of elongated frame elements with the elements of each pair pivoted one to the other at points substantially midway between their ends, means iixedly pivoting one end of one element of each pair to said bottom and the adjoining end of the other element of each pair to said lower frame, means slidably pivoting the other end of said one element of each pair to said lower frame, means slidably pivoting the other end of the other element of each pair to said bottom, and spring means coupled to said elements urging said bottom upwardly, the last said locking means comprising a pair of spring latches carried by said lower frame interconnected by a transverse rod operable from either side of said play pen to simultaneously release said latches, said latches engaging the first said slidably pivoting means when the bottom is in the raised position.

3. In a plan pen having upper and lower frame members joined by a netting and held in spaced relationship one to the other, a bottom carried by said lower frame member and elevating means for said bottom, said means comprising a pair of spaced U-shaped channels extending -along a pair of opposing edges of said bottom with the transverse portion of said channels being secured -to the underside of said bottom and the leg portions of said channels extending downwardly therefrom, a lirst pair of spaced parallel rods each pivoted at one end to one end of the outer leg of one of said channels and slidably pivoted at its other end to said lower frame member, said rods lying within said channels when the Ibottom is in the lowered position, a second pair of spaced parallel rods each slidably pivoted at one end to an inner wall of one of said channels and adjoining t-he other end thereof, bracket means pivotally connecting the other end of each of said second pair of rods to said lower frame member whereby said second pair of rods will lie along the inner faces of the inner legs of said channel members when the bottom is in the lower position, means pivotally connecting the adjoining rods of each pair at points midway of their lengths and locking means interconnected with at least one of said pairs of rods for holding said bottom in a raised position.

4. In a play pen according to claim 3 wherein the last said locking means is carried by said lower frame member and engages the slidable pivot attachment of one of said second pair of rods to said lower frame member to secure said bottom in a raised position.

5. In a play pen `according to claim 3 inclu-ding spring means coupled between the lower frame member and the slidable pivots coupling the other end-s of the second set of rods to said lower frame member, said spring means at least partially counterbalancing the weight of said bottom .and lying substantially in the plane of said pairs of rods when the bottom is in the lowered position.

6. A collapsible play pen comprising upper and lower rectangular frame members, two pairs of legs, means pivoting the legs of each pair to corresponding end portions of a pair of opposing sides of said upper frame, said legs being movable between posi-tions parallel to said upper frame and perpendicular thereto, transverse frame members connecting the lower ends of each pair of legs, means between said legs and said upper frame to limit movement of said legs beyond said perpendicular position, means releasably locking said lower frame member to said transverse frame members, a play pen bottom carried by said lower frame member, a ilexible net carried between said upper and lower frame members, means between sai-d bottom and said lower frame member to raise and lower said bottom, the last said means comprising a pair of spaced U-shaped channels extending along a pair of opposing edges -of said bottom with the transverse portion of said channels being secured to the underside of said bottom and the leg portions of said channels extending downwardly therefrom, a first pair of spaced parallel rods each pivoted `at one end to one end of the outer leg of one of said channels and slidably pivoted at its other end to said lower frame member, said rods lying within said channels when the Ibottom is in the lowered position, a second pair of spaced parallel rods each .sli-dably pivoted at one end to an inner wall of one of said channels and adjoining the other end thereof, bracket means pivotally connecting the other end of each of said second pai-r of rods to said lower frame member whereby said second pair of rods will lie along the inner faces of the inner legs of said channel members when the bottom is in the lower position, means pivotally connecting the adjoining rods of eac-h pair at points midway of their lengths and locking means interconnected with at least one of said pairs of rods for holding said bottom in a raised position.

7. In `a play pen according to claim 6 wherein the last said locking means is carried by said lower frame member and engages the sli-dable pivot attachment of one of said second pair of rods to said lower frame member to secure said bottom in a raised position.

8. ln a play pen according -to claim 6 including spring means coupled between the lower frame member and the slidable pivots coupling the other ends lof the second set of rods to said lower frame member, said spring means at least partially counterbalancing the weight of said bot- .tom and lying substantially in the plane of said pairs of rods when the bottom is in the lowered position.

9. A collapsible play pen comprising upper and lower rectangular frame members, two pairs of legs, means pivoting the legs of eac-h pair to corresponding end portions of a pair :of opposing sides of said upper frame, said legs being movable between positions parallel to said upper frame and perpendicular thereto, transverse frame membres connecting the lower ends of each pair of legs, means between said legs and said upper frame to limit movement of said legs beyond .said perpendicular position, means releasably locking said lower frame member to said transverse frame members, a play pen bottom carried by said lower frame member, a flexible net carried between -said upper and lower frame members, means between said bottom and said lower frame memlber to raise and lower said bottom, the last said means comprising `a pair of spaced U-shaped channels extending along a pair of opposing edges of said bottom with the transverse portion of said channels being secured 4to the underside of said bottom and the leg portions of said channels extending downwardly therefrom, a tirst pair yof :spaced parallel rods each pivoted at one end to one end of the outer leg of one of said channels and slidably pivoted at its other end to said lower trame member, said rods lying within said channels when the bottom Vis in the lowered position, a second pair of spaced parallel rods each slidably pivoted at one end to an inner wall of one of sai-d channels and adjoining -the other end thereof, bracket means pivotally connecting the other end of each Iof said second pair of rods to said lower frame member whereby said second pair :of lrods will lie along .the inner faces of the .inner legs of said channel members when the bottom is in the lower position, means pivotally connecting the adjoining rods of each pair at 7 points midway `of their lengths and locking means interconnected With ka1; least one of .said pairs of rods for holding said bottom in a -raised position, the first sai-d locking means each including a pivoted latching element and said transverse rods each including an opening for' verse frame members for guiding said opening into en- Y gagement With said latohing element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED srA'rEs PATENTS 2,299,136 10/42 Feldman 5-11 2,968,817 1/61 Jacobs et al. 5--63 3,059,248 10/62 Wetzler 5,-63 3,127,620 4/64 Peterson 5-99 VV'FRANK B. SHERRY, PrimaryExaminer. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE PLAY PEN COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER RECTANGULAR FRAME MEMBERS, TWO PAIRS OF LEGS, MEANS PIVOTING THE LEGS OF EACH PAIR TO CORRESPONDING END PORTIONS OF A PAIR OF OPPOSING SIDES OF SAID UPPER FRAME, SAID LEGS BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN POSITIONS PARALLEL TO SAID UPPER FRAME AND PERPENDICULAR THERETO, TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBERS CONNECTING THE LOWER ENDS OF EACH PAIR OF LEGS, MEANS BETWEEN SAID LEGS AND SAID UPPER FRAME TO LIMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID LEGS BEYOND SAID PERPENDICULAR POSITION, MEANS RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID LOWER FRAME MEMBER TO SAID TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBERS, A PLAY PEN BOTTOM CARRIED BY SAID LOWER FRAME MEMBER, MEANS BETWEEN SAID BOTTOM AND SAID LOWER FRAME MEMBER TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID BOTTOM WITH SAID LOWER FRAME MEMBER LOCKED TO SAID TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBERS, LOCKING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID BOTTOM IN A RAISED POSITION, AND A FLEXIBLE NET CONNECTING SAID UPPER AND LOWER FRAME MEMBERS. 